Herbal healing With more than 20 years of experience under his belt, Manop Pralomram, a retired school teacher, started the Lampang Herb Conservation Club to provide one-stop service that includes herbal spa, medicine, cosmetic products and seedlings for sale. The club, which has 100 members, grows more than 150 types of herbs on its 17-rai plot in Muang district of Lampang and those of its members who account for 60 percent of its production. Manop taught herbal and organic farming in the province during his teaching career at a non-formal education centre before retiring in 1997. The same year he started the club. His wife Bunyarat assists him in running the place that has nice gardens and treatment facilities. "We grow many types of plants, each has its own specific value. Before starting the club we tried to acquire additional skills by attending as many seminars and workshops on herbs as possible," said Bunyarat. Their efforts have certainly been fruitful because available there aren't just spa treatment and herbal medicine, but the place has a mountain of information for those interested in learning about herbs. Visitors can walk a 500-metre path laid with stones of various kinds and sizes conceived as a massage for the feet. It is lined with herbal plants and trees, complete with their names. "Our aim is to encourage people to love herbs, propagate knowledge about their use and simultaneously teach the need to conserve them," said Manop. The centre grew out of a wooden house that has since added a small factory that produces herbal medicine. Raw materials are provided by members who are under strict instructions not to use chemicals in growing the plants. Dried materials are neatly stocked. They must be roasted before further processing after which they are turned into capsules, pills and herbal tea. Some products have already been certified by the Food and Drug Administration. The club also received ISO9001 rating. Available are health spa, various massage, body scrub, facials, herbal sauna and bath, mud skin treatment and oil massage, all expertly administered and on offer at reasonable prices. Lampang Herb Conservation Club is open daily during 8am to 7pm. For more information, call 054-313-918, 054-313-128. MORE INFO From Muang district of Lampang take Highway 1030 (Lampang-Hangchat) and at Km 4 turn right into a lane leading to Khelangnakorn School. There turn left and drive towards Kunmuang Road. You will see the Lampang Herb Conservation Club on your left. |